Orthodox Eucharist

LizaMarie · Jul 23, 2025

Forgive me if this has been asked here before, But I'm looking for an explanation of what do the Orthodox churches do with the remaining bread and wine after the service. I have been aware that the Orthodox believe in the real presence, as Lutherans do, but not transubstantiation like the Roman Catholics, right?
We Lutherans believe in the Real Presence but I believe our churches are kinda shakey on how it's handled after the service. Each pastor we've had is different, too(I've been with our church a long time.)
The Wine is put back in the decanter, and the bread is put back in the container, but I always have felt that the elements aren't handled as reverently as I would like to see in our churches.

LizaMarie · Jul 23, 2025

LizaMarie said:
Forgive me if this has been asked here before, But I'm looking for an explanation of what do the Orthodox churches do with the remaining bread and wine after the service. I have been aware that the Orthodox believe in the real presence, as Lutherans do, but not transubstantiation like the Roman Catholics, right?
We Lutherans believe in the Real Presence but I believe our churches are kinda shakey on how it's handled after the service. Each pastor we've had is different, too(I've been with our church a long time.)
The Wine is put back in the decanter, and the bread is put back in the container, but I always have felt that the elements aren't handled as reverently as I would like to see in our churches.

Can someone give me an explanation of the Orthodox Eucharist including after the service?

gzt · Jul 23, 2025

The most junior clergyman consumes the remaining gifts.

"Transubstantiation" is a word the Orthodox use to describe the eucharist.

LizaMarie · Jul 24, 2025

gzt said:
The most junior clergyman consumes the remaining gifts.

"Transubstantiation" is a word the Orthodox use to describe the eucharist.

Thank you! so none are left over at all after the service, including the wine?

prodromos · Jul 24, 2025

LizaMarie said:
Thank you! so none are left over at all after the service, including the wine?

On Holy Thursday of Pascha, some of the body is reserved for the following year after the sign of the cross is made on it with the blood. This is kept in a special receptacle on the altar.

Yeshua HaDerekh · Jul 24, 2025

LizaMarie said:
Thank you! so none are left over at all after the service, including the wine?

No, all of it is consumed.

gzt · Jul 24, 2025

LizaMarie said:
Thank you! so none are left over at all after the service, including the wine?

Unless, for some reason, some needs to be reserved, it is all consumed.

ArmyMatt · Jul 24, 2025

as a priest I can vouch that the Eucharist is completely consumed.

the gents are correct.

RileyG · Tuesday at 3:50 PM

gzt said:
The most junior clergyman consumes the remaining gifts.

"Transubstantiation" is a word the Orthodox use to describe the eucharist.

Forgive me for butting in, but really? Can you elaborate a bit further?

@ArmyMatt @The Liturgist

ArmyMatt · Tuesday at 7:32 PM

RileyG said:
Forgive me for butting in, but really? Can you elaborate a bit further?

@ArmyMatt @The Liturgist

yes we do, it’s one of many terms and words we use to articulate the mystery.

RileyG · Tuesday at 8:07 PM

ArmyMatt said:
yes we do, it’s one of many terms and words we use to articulate the mystery.

That’s….quite surprising

ArmyMatt · Wednesday at 5:04 AM

RileyG said:
That’s….quite surprising

transubstantiation, transmutation, consecration, blessing, showing forth, etc are all historically used. most commonly we say the bread and wine become the Body and Blood, and leave it at that.

RileyG · Wednesday at 9:46 AM

ArmyMatt said:
transubstantiation, transmutation, consecration, blessing, showing forth, etc are all historically used. most commonly we say the bread and wine become the Body and Blood, and leave it at that.

Ah, sounds good! Thanks for the response!

ArmyMatt · Wednesday at 11:46 AM

RileyG said:
Ah, sounds good! Thanks for the response!

yeppers

Orthodox Eucharist

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